Netherlands Football Fans

Former Netherlands international Fernando Ricksen had died aged 43, as per reports. The former Rangers star revealed he has motor neurone disease in 2013, and helped raise awareness through his foundation.

The Fernando Ricksen Foundation helped raised funds and engaged in awareness campaigns that included a benefit match in 2015 at Ibrox. The game at Ibrox had up to 41,000 fans in attendance, raising over 320,000 pounds shared by the player and his daughter, MND Scotland and the club’s charity foundation.

Ricksen joined the Rangers at the beginning of the new millennium, playing for six years under Dick Advocaat and winning titles. He joined from AZ Alkmaar for under four million pounds but was one of the key players for the Gers, scoring in the 2005 Scottish League Cup final.

Tributes are coming in from all over the world following Gers’ announcement of his death. The club says it is deeply saddened about the loss, sending thoughts and prayers the way of the daughter and wife, friends and family.

Previous clubs like Alkmaar, Zenit and Fortuna have also joined to pay tribute to the Rangers Hall of Fame player. Ex colleagues, including Peter Lovenkrandshave joined to play their tributes, praising Ricksen’s character on and off the pitch. Lovenkrandssaid the late star used to take him to training and back when they joined Rangers. Others in the footballing community joined to praised the strength of character of the late Ricksen.